Press On

Press on! surmount the rocky steeps,
Climb boldly o’er the torrent’s arch:
He fails alone who feebly creeps.
He wins who dares a hero’s march.
Be thou a hero! let thy might
Tramp on eternal snows its way,
And, through the ebon walls of night,
Hew down a passage unto day.

Press on! if once and twice thy feet
Slip back and stumble, harder try;
From him who never dreads to meet
Danger and death, they’re sure to fly.
To coward’s ranks the bullet speeds,
While on their breast who never quail,
Gleams guardian of chivalric deeds,
Bright courage, like a coat of mail.

Press on! if fortune play thee false
To-day, to-morrow she’ll be true;
Whom now she sinks, she now exalts, —
Taking old gifts and granting new,
The wisdom of the present hour
Makes up for follies past and gone:
To weakness strength succeeds, and power
From frailty springs — press on! press on!

Therefore, press on! and reach the goal,
And gain the prize and wear the crown:
Faint not! for to the steadfast soul
Come wealth, and honor, and renown,
To thine own self be true, and keep
Thy mind from sloth, thy heart from soil;
Press on! and thou shalt surely reap
A heavenly harvest for thy toil.